Quick question: Is a backstory required? (i.e. will we be penalised for not having one, because I'm not that good at giving a story for my creations )

Also, you say no photoshopping, but we can touch up the pictures. Does editing out an unwanted decal on a minifig/brick count as touching up or as photoshopping? (If it is not allowed, I will have to remove one of the pictures of my entry)

SlyOwl wrote:To clarify about the Vig Category, is there an maximum overlap rule? I'm not talking about putting a 48x48 baseplate on an 8x8 base, but about 5 studs out each way of tree/war machine, without expanding the base...?

5 studs is too much and defeats the purpose of staying small. Lets go with no more than two studs of overlap.

SlyOwl wrote:

JoshWedin wrote:

Lord Tyler II wrote:I'd also like to ask if we are allowed to use the same or similar sceanery (That's already on a baseplate) for two entries and just swap out the figs and some trees or rocks.

You can. I won't disallow it. However, if its painfully obvious that they are the same scenery....it probably won't get rated as high by the judge.

Would this dent the chances of both entries, or just the later one?

I used the word "probably". I judge each creation on its own merits. But if someone enters half a dozen times and using the same landscaping over and over....its going to get really old. But winning this contest hangs on the fig posing. Tons of people can build landscaping....very few people can pose figs correctly.

SlyOwl wrote:Oh, and another question - can we edit out trans supports?

No. I like seeing how something is supported. Otherwise it looks like the hovering piece or pieces were added later, via Photoshop.

billsmugs wrote:Quick question: Is a backstory required?

To be honest, this question confuses me. Long Answer: I don't mention backstories anywhere in the rules. I don't care about backstories and I seldom read them anymore. If I can't figure out the general idea from a scene...its probably not a very good scene. Short answer: No.

billsmugs wrote:Also, you say no photoshopping, but we can touch up the pictures. Does editing out an unwanted decal on a minifig/brick count as touching up or as photoshopping?

I say in the rules that touch up is allowed. What I don't want is added elements, figs, or photoshopped landscaping.

SlyOwl wrote:To clarify about the Vig Category, is there an maximum overlap rule? I'm not talking about putting a 48x48 baseplate on an 8x8 base, but about 5 studs out each way of tree/war machine, without expanding the base...?

5 studs is too much and defeats the purpose of staying small. Lets go with no more than two studs of overlap.

No they weren't. I'm talking about 2 studs, each way, outside the 8x8. You have 12 studs to work with...and I won't be measuring. If something is obviously breaking the rules, sure. But I hate ruling on technicalities. People just need to build. If something overlaps too much, it can still be in the contest. Its just not a vignette anymore.

Have I ever disqualified something from this contest? I don't think I have....

Another quick question:Can the scene be of a battle about to take place, e.g. a robber waiting behind a rock, ready to ambush someone, or does it have to show the characters fighting?

EDIT: Also, does a 10x10 vignette stand as much chance of winning the main contest as a full diorama (if both were of the same quality, obviously), as I know it would be too big for the vignette contest?

billsmugs wrote:Another quick question:Can the scene be of a battle about to take place, e.g. a robber waiting behind a rock, ready to ambush someone, or does it have to show the characters fighting?

EDIT: Also, does a 10x10 vignette stand as much chance of winning the main contest as a full diorama (if both were of the same quality, obviously), as I know it would be too big for the vignette contest?

Yes, to both questions. The second question is important, so I'll cover it in more depth. I judge each entry on its own merits. Size is not a consideration for me. However, the trend has been that it has always been a large scene that has won...so far. I have found that the best builders (those with the most practice) often also have larger collections, from having been in the hobby longer. Therefore, a really good "bignette" could win....but none have yet. I've very open to the concept though. Someday, I hope one does win.

JoshWedin wrote:3. There is no minimum or maximum number of figs and no minimum or maximum size.

So nope, no size limit.However I'm afraid you're too late for this year's installment of the battles contest, the deadline has already passed so the contest has already ended. But don't let that discourage you, a battle scene always makes an excellent stand-alone MOC as well.

Between plotting to kill you all and chasing balls of yarn, I also build MOCs